Awings have seen a recent resurgence. I’ve truly enjoyed seeing the posts talking about Awing swarms or aces. They’re easy fighters to like.

Agility 3, shields, speed 5 and boost actions all make the Awing a tough interceptor to nail down. At a glance they’ve got maneuver down pat.

Much has been said about its comparative lack of firepower. It’s much ado about nothing! In a vacuum, firepower 2 is worse than firepower 3 but consider the chassis. An Awing’s maneuverability is able to overcome a lack in direct firepower quite effectively, even without Elite Talent upgrades. Zip around, boost into range one and suddenly this cheap fighter is unleashing firepower 3. It’s not tough to do. This shouldn’t be something that holds you back from using them! How many times are games featuring top notch builds, like Fat Han, won by all the damage delivered from the red shirts (Bandits, Prototypes, etc)?

It seems to happen a lot for me. This is the reason there is a special rookie pilot that always hits the table when the Awings are out, Dirty Randy, the best Prototype pilot in the galaxy (he does suffer from an acute addiction to every vice in the outer rim). I digress.

What about that firepower? Want more? In walks Keyan Farlander sporting the biggest cannon this side of Coruscant! What better pairing? A little mouse and a lumbering elephant. Keyan with a HLC offers really accurate armament that takes attention away from the Awings and allows them to do their work with little worry. As the enemy tries to down Keyan, they’re getting nicked and gashed by space piranhas.

I pulled these ideas into reality in the form of Taskforce Rook, a list that combines the best elements of fire and maneuver. It’s smooth and natural.

Tycho (PtL, VI, Refit, Test)

Prototype (Dirty Randy, Refit)

Prototype (Refit)

Keyan (HLC, PtL, Advanced Sensors)

Taskforce Rook is a complete blast to run. By putting the HLC on a very mobile platform surrounded by extremely mobile speed freaks forces the enemy to make a lot of tough choices in priority. Awings are quick enough to pull away from Keyan and zip back in as the enemy barrels in, convinced that poor Keyan is unsupported!

Give it a shot. You won’t regret it.

Might try it sometime, though swapping Tycho for Jake as he's a bit more maneuverable with his boost and barrel roll. Sounds like fun.

Yeah the decision between those two is a tough one. I'd go with Tycho simply because he is an action King and will always get the shot on Whisper.

I wish there were enough room for Prockets on Tycho though. That damage potential still isnt much.

I'd consider dropping an A to a Z. Then dropping Advanced Sensors. Just have Keyan Far-Fist 4-dice punch from the back.

Dirty Randy? I'm confused....